At Cleveland’s infamous “Togo Suite,” a then 28-year old Joe Lovano met and performed with a group of Nigerian musicians involved in an impromptu and joyous cultural exchange. About one year later on his 29th birthday in 1981, as a result of that initial late night club session, Lovano found himself in Lagos, Nigeria, meeting and spending time with the esteemed godfather of the afro-beat movement – Fela Kuti. The meeting of Kuti and his extended family of musicians led to a performance with the Cleveland and Nigerian musicians joined together in “Tafawa Balewa Square.” The entire experience of performing with Kuti and his family left Lovano with a lasting feeling that still touches him to this day, and a new sense of possibilities within his own music – in all aspects of the sonic palette. Over three decades later, one of the most prominent voices in jazz, looks back to a historic musical landmark in his life and brings it into his own evolving musical vernacular. Joined by guitarist Liberty Ellman, electric bassist Matthew Garrison, percussionist/African harpist Abdou Mboup, and drummer Otis Brown III; “The Village Rhythm Band” showcases the linear relationship between West African music and jazz in a way that is totally unique to Lovano’s voice – warm, sinuous, and constantly moving over an emphatic pulse.